Order on Jaganmohan Reddy's bail plea posted to 23rd September

Hyderabad: A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Andhra Pradesh posted to September 23 orders on the YSR Congress party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy's bail petition in connection with disproportionate assets case.

The special CBI court on Wednesday heard arguments from the lawyers of both Jaganmohan Reddy and the CBI. The investigating agency opposed the bail plea on the ground that since Jaganmohan Reddy is a MP and a powerful politician, he could influence the witnesses if released on bail.

The CBI, in its counter to the bail petition, informed the court that it completed the probe in the case within the four months given by the Supreme Court and that the trial would commence soon.

The federal agency also told the trial court that the Supreme Court did not say that the accused may be granted bail after four months. Arguing on behalf of Jagan, his lawyer Sushil Kumar said since the investigations were completed, he may be granted bail.

Jagan said in his bail petition that in view of the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, there was a need for him, as leader of a political party, to be with the people and lead the stir.

Jagan was arrested by the CBI May last year and has been lodged in Chanchalguda Central Jail. His bail petitions were dismissed on various occasions by the trial court, the high court and the Supreme Court.

While rejecting his bail plea on May 9, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to complete the investigations and file charge sheets within four months. The CBI has filed 10 chargesheets in the case in connection with certain quid pro quo investments. Jagan has been charged with entering into criminal conspiracy with his father and then CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy to favour companies and individuals who invested in his business.

In one of the two chargesheets filed on Tuesday, the CBI named major industries minister J Geeta Reddy as an accused. Two ministers had quit in May this year after they were named in the chargesheet. The investigating agency had arrested another minister May last year. Several bureaucrats, industrialists, companies and Jagan's aides also figure in the chargesheets.